Blog - Nassau County Chamber of Commerce

Nassau County Executive Order 15 Regarding Professional Fireworks

6/29/2020

In an effort to protect the health and safety of residents and guests, County Manager, Mike Mullin, has issued Executive Order 15 prohibiting professional fireworks in Nassau County. This is being done to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as firework displays increase and encourage public gatherings. This does not apply to the use of personal fireworks.

See the official Executive Order below. For more information, visit www.NassauCountyFL.com.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Emergency Order 2020-09

6/26/2020

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) today suspended the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption at all bars throughout the state. The suspension of alcohol sales directed by DBPR Emergency Order 2020-09 is effective immediately.

DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears said, “Based on recent increases in COVID-19 cases and non-compliance with previous orders, DBPR has taken action to suspend on-premises alcohol sales at bars. DBPR believes this is a necessary step to take to protect public health as we continue working in partnership with industry and health officials to combat COVID-19.”

As filed on June 26, 2020, DBPR Emergency Order 2020-09 suspends the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises for all vendors licensed for such sale who derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages. Notwithstanding this suspension of sales for on-premises consumption, these vendors may continue to sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off the premises in accordance with Executive Order 20-71, Sections 1 and 2. Licensed restaurants also may continue to operate for on-premises consumption of food and beverages at tables pursuant to the restrictions in Executive Order 20-139, so long as these vendors derive 50 percent or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.

Click HERE to view DBPR Emergency Order 2020-09 or see below. For more information, please visit www.myfloridalicense.com/emergency.

City of Fernandina Beach Officials and Staff Support Enhanced Public Education Efforts to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in Community

6/26/2020

1. City officials and staff support the enhanced public education efforts promoted by the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners and the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in our community.

2. Workers in and visitors to local businesses (to include private, public, and non-profit facilities) are strongly encouraged to wear masks and appropriately distance from others, especially when indoors. Other Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations should also be rigorously followed: wash hands, use hand sanitizer, and avoid large groups.

3. City staff will provide support as needed to assist with the education and enforcement effort within the city limits.

4. I encourage everyone to monitor their own health and adhere to the CDC guidelines to avoid the re-implementation of stricter public health measures.

5. Thank you for your cooperation.

County Urges Businesses to Implement Safety Measures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

6/26/2020

Due to the recent increases to COVID-19 cases, Nassau County is strongly encouraging use of masks in public places. Effective Friday, June 26, 2020, we are requesting that ALL businesses implement measures to protect the health and safety of the public. This includes use of masks by both employees and patrons, ensuring social distancing of customers, and maintaining an occupancy of 50% or less.

The County is coordinating this voluntary implementation with Nassau County Emergency Management, the City of Fernandina Beach and the Chamber of Commerce.

Between tomorrow and next Wednesday, July 1st, Nassau County Code Enforcement will begin visiting businesses to see if these recommendations are being followed. Should it be determined that businesses are not voluntarily implementing these measures, the County will consider issuing an Executive Order making these safety measures mandatory and subjecting business owners to a citation.

The Chamber of Commerce and Nassau County Emergency Management are working on a system to distribute masks to businesses needing assistance in supplying them to employees and patrons. Additional information on this will follow.

Best Trash Company in Nassau's Reader's Choice 2020: Meridian Waste

6/24/2020

Meridian Waste, an integrated, non-hazardous solid waste services company, has been voted the Nassau County Record’s Best Trash Company 2020.

“We have a hardworking team and couldn’t be happier to be recognized as the Best Trash Company in Nassau County,” said Meridian Waste Florida District Manager Dave Shepler. “We do our best daily to keep the environment clean and green and play a large role in ensuring public health and safety. Thanks to the Nassau County Record readers for recognizing our contributions to the Nassau community in which we serve.”

Meridian Waste Florida brings together a team of experts who have been in the environmental services industry between 20-30 years. The full Meridian Waste Florida team is 25 employees lead by:

Dave Shepler is a 30-year industry veteran serving as the District Manager in Florida and is responsible for all aspects of the Florida solid waste collection operations, which include over 5,000 residential customers and 850 commercial/ industrial customers.
Marty Kelly, Facility Manager, brings 30 years of experience in the environmental services industry and is an expert in all things maintenance from maintaining facilities, fixing equipment, procurement of parts and materials, and operational management.
Donna West, Office Manager, and Customer Care lead, brings 20 years of experience, including customer service, billing, and specializing in community and municipal relationships building. If you see a Meridian Waste entry in a local parade, you’ll see her decorating and representing the Company.
Ricky Rochester, Residential Manager has nearly 13 years of experience in the industry. Rochester knows the business from his decade as garbageman working closely with the residential customers on his routes. He oversees all residential collection and truck routing, in addition to the overall safety of his driver and helper teams.
Ricky Williams, Commercial Manager, has been in the industry for 25 years. Currently, he oversees all commercial business endeavors including roll-off container delivery for Jacksonville and Duval County, and Nassau County.

Meridian Waste Florida provides municipal and open-subscription residential solid waste collection, commercial solid waste collection, recycling, yard waste, bulk waste, and roll-off container rental services. Currently, the Company serves Nassau County and surrounding areas including Yulee, Hilliard, Callahan, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, and Duval and St. Johns Counties (commercial only). For more information on available services, please visit https://www.meridianwaste.com/find-a-facility/.

The Company will be helping out with the Nassau County Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Food Drive event being held in Yulee on August 15, 2020.

Ricky Rochester accepting the 2020 Nassau County Record Best Trash Company certificate.

Meridian Waste Florida’s team members (left to right): Crystal Dixon - Customer Service, Marty Kelly - Facility Manager, April Waters - Billing/Payables, Ricky Rochester - Residential Manager, Donna West - Office Manager, Ricky Williams - Commercial/Rolloff Manager.

Florida Department of Health Issues Additional Public Health Advisory

6/23/2020

~Advises wearing masks in public, encourages elderly and vulnerable populations to limit interactions outside of the home, and urges all individuals to refrain from participating in gatherings of more than 50 people~

The Florida Department of Health (Department) issued an additional Public Health Advisory in response to COVID-19, providing recommendations to protect Floridians and visitors from this virus. This advisory is in addition to steps that the Department has taken to increase mitigation measures, including the purchase of 20 million cloth masks, which are actively being distributed statewide. Today, Governor DeSantis also directed the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to increase inspections to ensure that businesses are adhering to applicable Phase 1 and Phase 2 guidance.

The Public Health Advisory provides the following recommendations:

All individuals in Florida should wear masks in any setting where social distancing is not possible, unless any of the following apply:
- A child is under two years of age;
- An individual has one or more medical conditions or disabilities that prevent wearing a face covering;
- An individual is obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service;
- An individual works in a profession where use of a face covering will not be compatible with the duties of the profession; or
- An individual is engaged in outdoor work or recreation with appropriate social distancing in place.
All individuals over the age of 65 and all individuals of any age with high-risk health conditions should limit personal interactions outside of the home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
All individuals should refrain from participation in social or recreational gatherings of more than 50 people. For all gatherings of fewer than 50 people, individuals should practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least six feet from each other and wearing a face covering.

This is a reinforcement of the previously issued advisory as well as direction that has been provided in the task force report for a Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.

Currently, 64 counties are in Phase 2, which dictates:
Restaurants, bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, excluding nightclubs:

May operate at fifty percent of the establishment’s indoor capacity.
May operate at full capacity outside with appropriate social distancing.
Bar areas may operate with seated service.

Entertainment businesses, including but not limited to movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys and arcades:

May operate at fifty percent of the establishment’s capacity with appropriate social distancing between groups and proper sanitization protocols.

In-store retail businesses:

May operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing measures and proper sanitization protocols.

Gyms and fitness centers:

May operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing and frequent sanitization.

Personal services including but not limited to tattooing, body piercing, tanning and massage:

May operate while adhering to appropriate safety guidelines outlined by the Florida Department of Health.

Barber shops, hair salons and nail salons:

May continue to operate while adhering to safety protocols.

Phase 2 continued emphasis on preventative measures outlined by the CDC and OSHA:

Senior citizens and individuals with a significant underlying medical condition are strongly encouraged to avoid crowds and take measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Individuals should avoid gathering in groups larger than 50.
All persons who work in long-term care facilities should be tested for COVID-19 on a routine basis.

The three counties with the highest number of cases (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties) are still in Phase 1, which dictates:
Restaurants and food establishments:

May operate at fifty percent capacity with proper social distancing.
Outdoor seating is encouraged.

Retail establishments:

May operate at up to fifty percent capacity indoors with appropriate social distancing measures and proper sanitization protocols.

Museums and libraries:

May operate at up to fifty percent capacity if permitted by local governments.

Gyms and fitness centers:

May operate at up to fifty percent capacity with appropriate social distancing and sufficient sanitization measures.

Barber shops, hair salons, and nail salons:

May operate while adhering to safety protocols.

About the Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

Property Identification Cards Permit Non-Residential Nassau County Property Owners to Drive on Beaches

6/22/2020

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the County temporarily closed Nassau County beaches due to concerns related to spread of the virus. On May 1, 2020, the beaches were reopened for most normal activities, with the exception of beach driving and camping. On May 14, 2020, the County issued Executive Order No. 7 to reintroduce vehicles to County beaches to allow for greater utilization of beach areas. Beach driving has been limited to Nassau County residents with a valid drivers license or State ID with a Nassau County address. The restriction is based upon limited driving and parking areas on the beach.

There are many individuals who own property in Nassau County but reside elsewhere. These individuals have not been able to drive onto the beach due to their identification not reflecting a Nassau County address. The County Manager and Tax Collector have been working together to create a property owner card to resolve this issue. Beginning Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the Tax Collector’s Office located at 86130 License Road in Fernandina Beach, will begin issuing these cards BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. To schedule an appointment, please call (904) 491-7400.

Each property owner will need to download and complete an affidavit outlining each licensed driver over the age of 16 that will require a card to drive on the beach. The affidavit will be provided to the Tax Collector’s Office during your scheduled appointment.

The affidavit can also be located on the County’s website at:
https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/752/Beach-Permit.

WestRock Supports Effort to Preserve Old Town History

6/22/2020

If you drove south on Estrada Street in Old Town in the 1990’s you would have been stopped by an ugly old fence that stretched across Estrada Street and totally fenced off the paper mill land. For years former resident Joan Altman had insisted that the closed street was a city street and that the then mill had no right to close it. The mill disputed that saying it was their property.

New residents took up the challenge of reopening the street and were excited that the General Manager of the new mill, RockTenn, agreed with them. The gate was removed in 2014 and moreover, he offered additional land on each side of the street so that the area could become a pocket park. He was intrigued by the history of that area, called South Point on old maps. Then the mill changed ownership again.

Hats off to WestRock and their Public Relations Manager Eric Schmidt. They have been generous in working with residents to create a pleasant place for visitors to South Point in Old Town, and have paid for two benches and two informational signs.

Thanks to the city for installing the signs so that visitors can read about the old Boardwalk, called Seton Bridge, built in 1870 with $600 raised by the women of Old Town who needed a fast route across the marsh to visit friends in new Fernandina. They can also learn about the Pogy delivered by barge from the Pogy plants across Egan’s Creek to the warehouse at South Point and then onto boxcars at the rail spur.

Thanks to the two most recent mills and city staff Historic Old Town is made more ‘whole’ and reveals more of her amazing history.

Updates on Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

6/19/2020

PPP Loans

The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury, will promptly issue rules and guidance, a modified borrower application form, and a modified loan forgiveness application implementing these legislative amendments to the PPP. These modifications will implement the following important changes:

Extend the covered period for loan forgiveness from eight weeks after the date of loan disbursement to 24 weeks after the date of loan disbursement, providing substantially greater flexibility for borrowers to qualify for loan forgiveness. Borrowers who have already received PPP loans retain the option to use an eight-week covered period.

Lower the requirements that 75 percent of a borrower’s loan proceeds must be used for payroll costs and that 75 percent of the loan forgiveness amount must have been spent on payroll costs during the 24-week loan forgiveness covered period to 60 percent for each of these requirements. If a borrower uses less than 60 percent of the loan amount for payroll costs during the forgiveness covered period, the borrower will continue to be eligible for partial loan forgiveness, subject to at least 60 percent of the loan forgiveness amount having been used for payroll costs.

Provide a safe harbor from reductions in loan forgiveness based on reductions in full-time equivalent employees for borrowers that are unable to return to the same level of business activity the business was operating at before February 15, 2020, due to compliance with requirements or guidance issued between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, related to worker or customer safety requirements related to COVID–19.
Provide a safe harbor from reductions in loan forgiveness based on reductions in full-time equivalent employees, to provide protections for borrowers that are both unable to rehire individuals who were employees of the borrower on February 15, 2020, and unable to hire similarly qualified employees for unfilled positions by December 31, 2020.
Increase to five years the maturity of PPP loans that are approved by SBA (based on the date SBA assigns a loan number) on or after June 5, 2020.

Extend the deferral period for borrower payments of principal, interest, and fees on PPP loans to the date that SBA remits the borrower’s loan forgiveness amount to the lender (or, if the borrower does not apply for loan forgiveness, 10 months after the end of the borrower’s loan forgiveness covered period).
In addition, the new rules will confirm that June 30, 2020, remains the last date on which a PPP loan application can be approved.

EIDL Portal is Open

The Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance Program Reopened to All Eligible Small Businesses and Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic.

SBA’s COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance

The SBA is offering low interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses and non-profit organizations that are suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19 in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories.
These loans may be used to pay debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact, and that are not already covered by a Paycheck Protection Program loan. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
To keep payments affordable for small businesses, SBA offers loans with long repayment terms, up to a maximum of 30 years. Plus, the first payment is deferred for one year.
In addition, small businesses and non-profits may request, as part of their loan application, an EIDL Advance of up to $10,000. The EIDL Advance is designed to provide emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This advance will not have to be repaid, and small businesses may receive an advance even if they are not approved for a loan.
SBA’s EIDL and EIDL Advance are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response.

For additional information, please visit the SBA disaster assistance website at SBA.gov/Disaster.

County Votes to Remove Referendum from 2020 Ballot

6/19/2020

In 2018, the Board of County Commissioners expressed a desire to establish a conservation land acquisition and management program. The Board subsequently entered into an agreement with the Trust for Public Land to conduct a feasibility analysis to consider funding options for the program. The results of the feasibility study were presented to the Board in August 2019.

At a Workshop held on October 16, 2019, the Board approved a Resolution to place a referendum on the ballot of the 2020 Election for the Electors to grant the County the ability to issue up to $30 million in general obligation bonds to implement the program. Due to the impact COVID-19 has had on families and businesses and the challenges residents have faced, the Board approved a Resolution on Wednesday, June 18, 2020, to remove the referendum from the 2020 Ballot.

The Board will proceed with creation of the conservation land acquisition and management program, with the intent of adding the referendum to the 2022 Ballot.
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If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.